The Origins Foundation Podcast

Episode 596 - Sean Kilkenny || Big Wins For Australian Hunting

Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Robbie (The Origins Foundation)
Guest: Sean Kilkenny (Lead, Advocacy and Deer Management, Australian Deer Association)

Episode Overview

This episode explores a watershed moment for Australian hunting—specifically the historic reopening of two major Victorian national parks (Snowy River and Errinundra) to public deer hunting. Host Robbie welcomes back Sean Kilkenny to unpack how the hunting community in Australia, often on the defensive in a challenging cultural landscape, has managed to secure landmark wins after decades of advocacy. The conversation dives into the significance of public land access, the long timeline and political strategies behind these achievements, the future of sustainable hunting in Australia, and hopes for further expansion.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Setting the Scene: The State of Hunting in Australia

• Regulatory Structure

  • Hunting is highly regulated; each state/territory sets its own rules ([04:37]).
  • Public land is “our lifeblood”—providing access regardless of wealth or connections.
  • National parks are typically not hunter-accessible, making progress rare and significant ([05:38], [06:16]).

• Victorian Context ([09:49])

  • Prior to this win, hunters could access state forests and some national parks (esp. Alpine National Park—600,000 hectares).
  • Smaller national parks open to hunting exist, but only those with significant deer populations attract hunting advocacy.

The Big Win: Opening Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks

• Historic Expansion

  • Pending legislation will open two large and previously inaccessible public lands: Snowy River and Errinundra National Parks—“130,000 hectares” or roughly “320,000 acres” ([14:58]-[15:20]).
  • This marks an increase comparable to 50% of previous public hunting area ([15:20]).

• Decades of Advocacy ([13:53])

  • These parks have housed wild deer for “well over half a century,” but have been closed to legal hunting since becoming national parks in the late 1970s and 1980s.
  • “Back in the early 1980s...the genesis of people having the desire to hunt in Snowy River was there, but it just wasn’t legal” ([15:17]).

• Process and Political Breakthrough

  • Advocacy efforts intensified in the past five years, coinciding with a push to preserve duck hunting ([19:49]).
  • “One of the challenges is...you got to be able to get in front of politicians, you got to be a credible voice, establish yourself as...trusted and respected...” ([20:35])
  • Key: A new premier and environment minister “with a new attitude towards outdoor recreation”—creating the right timing for progress ([21:54]).

Navigating the Political Process

• Legislative Pathway
  • As of recording, the Victorian government (already supportive) will table the bill to update the National Parks Act.
  • Expected to pass by August for a February 2026 effective date—“effective February 2026, people are going to have access...that they’ve never had...whilst it’s been a national park” ([26:04]-[26:58]).
  • Political risks remain, but strong upper house support among outdoor recreation advocates ([27:25]-[29:00]).

Arguments and Advocacy Strategies

• Public Safety and Coexistence

  • The parks are “quite remote...not exactly brimming with people”—main visitors at holiday periods ([23:15]).
  • “Whilst they’re there, we won’t hunt...Just like in the Alpine National Park, we have seasonal arrangements” ([23:38]).
  • Decades of proven coexistence between hunters and other users in Alpine National Park were critical in persuasion ([24:50]).

• Economic, Social, and Conservation Rationale

  • No significant cost to the state—just a legislative amendment ([25:17]).
  • Hunting community argued for multi-use public lands, post-pandemic outdoor engagement, and hunter-funded conservation ([23:15]-[25:17]).

Broadening Horizons: What’s Next?

• Momentum in Other States

  • New South Wales pushing for new state forests; Northern Territory’s Litchfield National Park recently opened ([29:55]).
  • Expansion in Queensland faces huge hurdles—minimal existing public land access or supportive government ([30:49]-[31:58]).

• Long-Term Culture Shift

  • Advocacy aims to move beyond “shooting culture” to a “celebrated hunting culture...tied to the sustainable use of wild, wildly sourced protein” ([31:58]-[34:30]).
  • Robbie observes: “I think the narrative that hunting culture in Australia should champion is...It’s a food culture. It’s a sustainable use of the resource culture” ([34:30]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Landmark Progress

  • “It’s been one of the better months to understate it. It’s been a lot of hard work that led to this culmination of an outcome...You really need to step back and enjoy them when they do happen.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([03:55])

• On the Importance of Public Land

  • “Public land, that’s our lifeblood. Public land is everything. If you have access to public land...how much money you’ve got, you have the ability to hunt on the same land that anybody else does in Australia.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([04:37])

• On Advocacy Realism

  • “The default position for all this stuff is always a no. So you have to work hard to get a yes.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([09:49])

• On the Outcome

  • “Opening up 130,000 hectares, 320,000 acres to new hunting opportunities. Huge. Massive.”
    — Robbie ([35:49])
  • “Once it’s done, I’ll believe it...you don’t believe anything until the proof’s in the pudding. But we are really, really, really close.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([36:18])

• On Culture Building

  • “We want...a more embraced and celebrated hunting culture in Australia that ties back into the sustainable use of wild, wildly sourced protein.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([31:58])

• On Generational Impact

  • “This win isn’t about us, it’s about—it’s a generational thing...my kids...now they’re going to grow up...their norm will be...access to this public land. Whereas I grew up and the norm was you didn’t.”
    — Sean Kilkenny ([36:18])

Important Timestamps

• Victorian public land regulations explained: [04:37]-[06:16]
• Alpine National Park's unique status: [09:49]-[11:41]
• History of Snowy River & Errinundra parks: [13:32]-[15:17]
• Personal story—the “Sambar stag” cover photo: [15:20]
• Consequences of illegal hunting in parks: [16:31]
• Government deer control measures: [17:51]-[18:36]
• The five-year push, political change and approach: [19:49]-[22:53]
• Addressing concerns about public safety: [23:15]-[24:50]
• The legislative path and what’s next: [26:04]-[29:09]
• Long-term strategy & cultural aspirations: [31:58]-[34:30]
• Personal reflections and generational impact: [36:18]-[37:21]

Summary and Takeaway

This episode is a deep-dive into a pivotal victory for Australian hunting—a territory where progress is hard-won and cultural change is gradual. Through Sean Kilkenny’s candid and knowledgeable commentary, listeners learn about the persistent, strategic advocacy that made possible the opening of 320,000 new acres for hunting. The discussion highlights how this “run on the board” is rooted in decades of effort, strategic partnership with policymakers, and an evolving vision for a hunting culture centered on sustainability, food, and responsible community stewardship.

For those passionate about hunting, conservation, or outdoor policy worldwide, this landmark episode illustrates not just a proud milestone, but a playbook for succeeding against the odds—and lays out the road ahead for further progress.